The Bite Magazine - Spring 2019 - Issue 24

bite cars were extensively redesigned with solutions modified from the 488 Challenge, producing a 23% of the increase in down- force compared to the 488 Spider. The radical scoops in the front bumper allow aerodynamic elements to protrude in areas where they can be most efficient, while the volume of this region is recessed before the wheel arch to deflect the flow ahead of the wheels outwards. At the rear, there are two elements that contributed to the achievement of the downforce target: the blown spoiler sys- tem and the venting behind the rear wheels. The spoiler is higher and longer than those on the 488 Spider. The develop- ment work done to this focused on the efficiency of the bleed under the spoiler which accounted for 25% of the overall increase on the downforce in comparison to the 488 Spider. The underbody was specially redesigned to ensure it deliv- ered as efficient a downforce figure as possible, with the hot air from the radiators deflected ahead of the front wheels. The choice was made to enhance the cooling layout and low- er the car’s drag coefficient but it shrank the surfaces that could be used to generate downforce. To make up for this and further boost downforce, the designers decided to ex- ploit other areas of the underbody. The solution was to equip the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider with front diffusers, which was made possible by the change in the inclination of the front radiators and the elimination of the dams ahead of the wheels. Thanks to a ramp already op- timised for the 488 GTE, the diffusers accelerate the flow, venting it into the wheel arches and then create a strong suction that is responsible for 12% of the overall downforce increase. Verdict The biggest pull of the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider and its coupe version is of course the speed. By using the 488 GTE and 488 Challenge as a basis, the Italian marque was able to improve on the speed capacity to make them faster than the models they replaced. Not only that but as auto critic Lawrence Ul- rich so rightly said: “the Pista brings the biggest power gains, and the most intensive transfer of Ferrari racing technology, of any Special Series model yet.” Ferrari’s goal was ultimately to put track performance into a road-ready model and make the Pista as adaptable as pos- sible – after all its given name is the Italian for ‘track’. The stripe livery on the bonnet makes it really stand out and shows off one of the model’s best assets. This optional fea- ture available in a choice of single or two-tone continues to dive into the scalloped section below the front badge and remerges at the front spoiler. Improving on the overall weight was also the order of the day. With 18kg of the total weight saving coming from the engine, this was achieved by specific parts such as the crankshaft and flywheel featuring titanium alloy. And performance-wise, ac- cording to Ferrari’s Head of Engine Design, Nicola Pinn, the acceleration on the Pista feels more akin to a superbike than a car. The good news is that response is instantaneous, re- gardless of which gear it’s in. But performance is the main focus here. There is no doubt that the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider has more power and more aggression than the 488 Spider and 488 GTB.What makes it even better is the fact that it is also fun to drive. A model that can easily be called a ‘speed monster’, Ferrari has reached new heights of excellence with the Pista Spider, and it can only get better. https://auto.ferrari.com/en_EN/sports-cars-models/car- range/ferrari-488-pista-spider